Hydraulically operated propeller pitch control



Oct. 7, 1952 c. 1 MUzzEY HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED PROPELLER FITCH CONTROL Filed Dec. 1v, 194s I 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 ArroRN'r-:Ys

CCL-7, 1952 c. L. MUzzl-:Y 2,612,960

HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED PROPELLER FITCH CONTROL l Filed Dec. 17, 1945 5 sheets-sheet 3 ATTORNEYS Oct. 7, 1952- c. l.. MuzzEY v 2,612,960

HYDRAULICALLY OPERA-TED PROPELLER FITCH CONTROL Filed Dec. 17. 1945 5 sheetsheet 4 Oct. 7, 1952 c. L. lm lzzx-:Yv

HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED PROPELLER FITCH CONTROL Filed Dec. 17, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 5' Patented Oct. 7, 1952 UNITED l STATES HYDRAULIGALLY OPERATED PROPELLER. Piron coN'riioL` q y Clifford L. `Muzzey, Dayton,` Ohio, assignor to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a

n corporation of Delaware n n v Application December 17,1945, Serial No. 635,459

` 'z claims. (c1. 17o-5150.21)

This inventionrelatesto the control of air` plane `propeller`pitch or blade 4angle for the purpose. of controlling `the speed `of the engine. @This application` is a continuation in part of'SeriaI No. 574,544, ledJa'nuary 25,1945 which has become abandoned. bbject` of the invention is so" to control the propellerfpitch that, when there isa deviation from the engine speed which the speed governor is set Mto'maintain, the return` to governed speed will be effected in the minimum time. and with la minimum of speed oscillation caused by over-correction. l In the disclosed embodiment ofthe invention. the torque motor `which adjusts the pitch of the` propeller blades is] under the control of a speedgovernor and a stabilizer which operate jointly in a` manner such that Athe. rate of pitch change is' proportional to the amount of speed error and `to the rate of change of speed error.

, Further objects and advantages of 'the present invention' will be apparent from the following description,` reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein preferred embodimentsv ofthe present invention are clearly shown. f

" "In, the4 drawings: u

`."Fi`g.1`fis adi 'gram of control apparatus embodying the present invention.

` Figs. 2 and `34 are fragmentary sectional views of modications o`f theinvention shown inFig. l. Figs. 4,5.,6 and ,'llare curvech'art's used in explaining the operation of the control lappa-- ratusQ I. fi Fig.` 8 is? a'longi'tudinal sectionalview in perspectiva. showing somewhat ,diagrammaticallm aform `of" propeller "hub and control assembly with whichjthe. present. invention may be used. ."Fig.,9 isasectional view taken principallyon the line 8-4-9 of Fig. 8.1 i

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectionalview taken principally ontheA line I 0-4I0 of Fig. `9`.

Fig. 11 is alfragmentary view of one of the instruments shown -in Fig. 9 and is drawn to a larger scale than Fig. 9, the parts shown in section being' takenon theV line II-l-,II of Fig.

Figs. 12, 13,14; 15 and 16 are fragmentary sectional views,taken` respectively, on the lines :z :lz, ls-lau 14-14. ls-ls, and rafle of Fig; 11.' l I 117 is a fragmentary sectional `view on the line I1`|1 of Fig. 12. l.

IFig. 18 is a sectional viewon the "line I8 --I8 otjFig. 9. l n.

t Fig. 19I is asectionalview on the line I S-IS of Fig. 18.

Paf-lisN",r1- Nol-"Fixcs I Thercontrol apparatus. shown in Fig. 1, pro--v vides 4 a `blade angle vcontrolling bar 20 `which moves in a straight line (vertically in Fig. `l) forthepurpose `of determining blade angle in v amanner to be described later but here `shown as oscillating the arm I9 of a differential mechanism `I8 supplied withv a fiuidpressure source or other fmotivating power I1 to move a rack bar` I6 operable uponlthe root or blade gear` I5 of `a `blade I4 driven by the engine `through shaft I3. The bar 20 is connected by a pin 2l with a bar `22v having notched ends receiving, respectively, pins .23 and 24. Pin 24 `is connected with a pistonrod 34 `forming 4a part of a governor unit 3D and pin 23 is connected with a piston rod 6,4, forming apart ,of a stabilizer unit 60. Therefore the; bar 20, which determines blade anglais `under.joint control `by the lgovernor and by the stabilizer 60. I

The governor -unit comprises a cylinder 3l receiving a piston `32 ventedatr33. Piston 32 is connected with the rod 34 which is surrounded by a Vspring 35. The `admission of pressure iiuid to the cylinder 3| is controlled by a valve 36 which is controlled `by centrifugal vforce and by a spring 52, and which moves in the direction of arrow 31 when the speed increases. The valve 36 has a `guiding land 38 and a port controlling land'39 I and is slidable in a valve sleeve` 40 havingports 4| connectedJwith :an interior annular groove 42 intra valve body 43. Groove ,42 is `connected by pipe 26 with a uid pressure pump 25, thepressure from which is limited by a spring loaded valve 21. The land 39 -controls ports `unconnected with annular groove 45 connected by pipe 46 with cylinder 3l. The valve body 43; `supports a plate` 41 having a hole 48 for the discharge of iiuidfrom thecylinderl whenthe 1and39 is below they ports 44. `The V l plate .141i has a plain `hole through which there extends the head of a screw., 5|) having a serrated collar 50a engaging serrationsprovided by the plate `4,11. and surrounding the hole referred to. Screw 50 is engaged by a nut 5I` having a notch which receives a `rib 5Ia provided by vbody 43. N ut 5I receives the upper end of a valve control spring-5l2,-the lower end being received `by a n retainer-53 mountedpn la lever 54 connected by` pin 55 with the valve 36 and restinggupon supported by v a co horizontal movemen movement of the bar 51 controls the positiorroithe fulcrurn roller 56, thereby controlling' the effect of the spring 52'with respect to centrifugal force acting upon the valve 36. The spring 52 is initially adjusted by turning the screw titl.,`

nut I being non-rotatable by virtue of a notch therein receiving a rib 5|a.

The stabilizer unit G!! comprises a cylinder 5I l Cil which receives a piston 62 and which is provided with a vent 63, Piston 62 is attached,A to the rod 64 which is surrounded by'a control spring 65. The admission of pressure fluid to the cylinder 6I is controlled by a valve 66 which, like valve 3B of unit 30, is under the influence of centrifugal force andy/ill move upwardly-as indicated by arrow 61 "when engine speed increases. Valve 66y has 'a' guiding land 68 anillal port controlling land 5Sl and isslidable within al valve sleeve 101 having ports-Jl'connected with an annular groove 12 ina valve body 13. vThegroove 12`is connected by pipe 23 with pump 25. The sleeve 10 hasports 1a connected with an annular groove 15 connectedby pipe 15 with cylinder 6I. Valve body 13v supports a plate-11fy having a hole 18 forfthe discharge of pressurey fluidi from the cylinder 6l when theiland 59 is belowf the ports14.

Thepl'at'e 11 provides/a cylinder 19 forreceiving a pistonconnected with ay rod a.' Pipe 19a connects cylinder 19` withV pipe'f15. Plate 11 providesa socket 81 for receiving avalve controlling spring 8.2, the lowerl eI-id'of` which is freceived by a retainer 83 carried by a lever 84 connected by a pin lwith-valve-Band resting upon a fulcrum roller 85Lcarried bythe'bar 51. Y.

The operation of the unit S'will be considered independent of the operation of the stabilizer unit 6U. -Let itbe` assumedv that theA bar 51 has been locatedso as to cause the unit 30A to regulate for a certain governed speed'vN. In thestatus of equilibrium, the springy 52L balances effectv of.' centrifugaliforceon the .valvei36 in such manner thatthe ports 44 are closedby the valve land 39.

Therefore, 'the rod34f doesnot-move. When there valve 36` will movefitoward the axis of rotation of the propellershaft (down in Fig. 1)". If theval've land-39 stops exactly at the port 441cm its downward movement, the-upward movement of the rod 34 Wouldcease. Actually; they valve-land 35 may movebelow the port Mlthereby connecting the cylinder 3l Vwith the discharge` outlet 48 whereupon spring 35 moves the piston 32 'down to effect a reduction of` blade` angle and therefore 'a tend ency` to increase the engine speed. and the valve 35 will move up againi Before the unit Bll'comes into an equilibriumstatus, there will' bel oscillationsof the valve. 36,. eachoscillatiorrhaving an proportional to. speed error.

4 amplitude less than the preceding one until move ment of the valve practically ceases.

The unit 30 operates to make the change of blade angle proportional to the time integral of the speed error. This principle of operation can be represented by the equation Brzlcifndt, in which B1', the movement of the rod 3 4, represents change inblade angle, k1 is a constant and n is the speed error. By differentiating this equation.

lthe following equation is obtained:

@ggg-1:10171 which. means, thaty the rate of pitch change is This is the usual law of action found in a simple, constant speed propeller governor.

, The operation of the stabilizer unit G0 will now be considered independently of the operation of the governor unit 30. The vequilibrium position of' the stabilizer isY shown in Fig. 1j which thel valve land GSi closes the ports' 1:4: The centrifugal force couple (C. l;. leverage from fulcrum roller 85) 'equals spring force coupleKforce of spring 2 leverage from roller` 86) plus feedback'l couple (iiuid pressure actingjon piston 80X leverage 'from roller 86). Spring 8,'2 has'been conditioned' for proper' operation byA the proper-position of :roller 86, which like' roller' 55, is'. controlled by the bar 51. When the propeller over speeds or the" speed erroris -i-u', the increase of centrifugal force acting on valve 66 causes-.it to move'up against the action of spring 82 sothat the highercentrif'- ugalf'force will be balanced by the' increase jof theforce of' the spring 821 Ports-1 4 are' opened and pressurev fluid enters the cylinder'l to cause the piston 52 to,V move up against the action'vof l the springf 'thereby' producing a movem'ento'f rod Vli'represented byy Bz. As the spring 65":is compressed, the pressure of the fiuidin' cylinder 6| increases. The movement B2 continuesfto increase until the addedpressure; acting up'orifthe feedback piston 8U, eifects. through" the rod 80a and theV leverv 84, together.` with the added r`e" sistance of the spring 82, tl're'if.retur'nfv oi" Lkthe valve 66 to equilibrium position. *When the valve land 59 is at a position' c1osi'ng"the*port s v11i, motion of the rod ilceases; v`It'i' s'apparent there# forev that the stabilizer unit` 5i)l givesa definite increase inl blade angle" foragiven overspeed or error +11. Ports; 14; are sojproportionedthat thev minimum' oftime is' requiredV for piston 62 to reach its new equilibrium position required?` by the speed error n'. There are av plurality 'of ports 14 on each'v side ofthe land'ilas'shovvn in Figs'. vi and 2. Therefore the principle'of operation. of thek stabilizer unit 5,0# j'can` be represented by .the following' equation: B'zzlczn'avhere k2 isa constant. ADifferentiating the above; equation'A gives the following:equation:Y`yr i n dt'-y Zdt 4 which.. means that the rate 'offpitchfcliange is proportional to the rate of change ofdeviation from governed Aspeed or proportional to. the. ac'- celerationfof the enginejpropelle'r system.`

Sincethe movement of rod 2'0, representdby B3 is proportional to 'B14-Bait is apparent that the rate of. pitch change is sensitive to the4 amount of speed error, n, and to theirate of'.'chan'ge'cf the speed error, n. f'l'" In Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7, distances horizontauy represent time.` In Fig, 4, the `three curves` represent variations from a governed speedepresented byline N N. Curve Sx represents variation ci speed error before equilibrium isobtainedwhen the unit is acting alone. CurveSi/fdrawn `by. long dash lines, represents variations in qspeed error whenblade angle is undercontrol bythe. unit `30 and by the stabilizer 60 when adjusted to give aimoderate amount of stabilizing action. Curveszydrawn by short dash lines, represents, variation in speed error when blade angle isunder controlrbythe unit 30 andbythe stabilizeri): when adjusted to give greater ystabilizing` action.` ,In Fig. 5, distances vertically indicatethe value B'aqwhich represents blade anglechange. .Point Arepresents a certain blade angle 'required `for the .governed speed N when the engine was pro-. ducinga `certain power. is increased, the line A-A' represents the lblade anglerequired to maintainV speed N. `The conf. tinuous `line curve Bam representsgblade "angle change whenunit 30 operates without thestabtlizer. The long dash curveBay represents blade angle changewhen there is a moderate'` amount of stabilizer action. The short dash curve` Bae represents blade angle change when unit 60 oper-` ateswith a greater amount of stabilizer action. In Fig. 6, full line curve Bim. represents blade angle change due solelyto movement Bi oflrod 34 which alone produces blade angle change when the .unit 30 operates withoutstabilizer action. The curve Bia: is the same as curve Bax of Fig. `5. Long dash curve B1y of Fig. 6 represents blade angle change due to the B1 component when blade angle is under controlby the unit 30 vand by thestabilizer 60. when the latter isadjusted to` give a moderate amount, of stabilizer action. Short dash curve vBie represents the Br componentof `blade angle change lwhen blade angle is under the control bythe unit 30 and bythestabiincrease in value as long as curve Sa: continues to, riser-becoming, greatest at f I0] when curve hits its peak 'at -j-m. 4An analysis of conditions` reachthe .new steadyvalue `of A'. -At the pealI e value` n1 ofcurve `Sfr in Fig. 4, the slope oi Sz the; propeller. However, the blade angle at lt 0 When the engine power is zero indicating that the engine torque output, just balances the aerodynamic torque acting on on ;curves Barr and Bwhas not yet reachedLthe new value A' which isrequired to'producespeed N whenthe engine torque hasbeen increased because the propeller is now operatingyat a slightly increased R.\P.\M., namely, N+m. j 'lhua-Y atthe instant when theR. P. M. st arts its return to governed speed N, the blade angle, point Ill-I,r is ,still less than the new value n whichis` liaer when 'the latter is adjusted to give a greater amount of stabilizing action.; .l

f lIn Fig. 7, the long dashcurve Bzy represents the blade angle change due to the B2 componentwhen the' .st abilizer 60 is adjusted to give a 'moderate amount of stabilization and the .short dashcurve B22 `represents the blade angle change `due to the B2 component when the stabilizer lill` is adjusted to give a greater amount of stabilizing action.

The' amount of stabilizing actionwhich the unit 6 0 should give depends on iiight conditions, such as altitude. If 'more stabilization isf required; which means that B2' should be greatenthe spring should have a lower spring rate in order to give less opposition to upward movementof the piston 62; and when less stabilization is required;vv

the spring rate should' be greater.

itbe assumed that the governor `3E) operates without the stabilizer and that ythe engine torque output to the propeller's increased. Up to this time, the propeller has been operatingat a 'blade angle value A (Figs. 5 and 6) in order to maintain the I"governed speed N (Fig. 4). The increased power delivered to the propeller now requires that the blades operate at an angle A' (Figs. 5 and 6) in order tomaintain the same governedspeed N.' `The manner inwhich the governor 30 acting alone accomplishes the blade angle change from Acto A' will now be described.

l :rAt the start of the action` there Vis a deficiency sought.; VSince the ordinateof the. speelerror` curveis still positive, thoughfdecreasing in value. the` blade .angle continues to increase, though at., a diminishing rate. When curve Sreturns to the governor valve `shuts ofi` completely, therebyA causing blade angle changes tocease The slope of curves Bca: andBim are new zero; and the `peak` value is A1. On` account of the `fact that the-blade angle was at I Ul, which is below the required new equilibrium value A', when theispefed: error reached its maximum positive value +-np. the blade angle curve at the point A1 of its-maximum over-correction is closer to` A than. it was at point A. Consequently, thenext succeeding, speed oscillation will be smaller in magnitudel than the preceding one as shown bythe de creas.-V

ing distances of points-nz and{,n3, andj;m from line N--N. When the speed error is ;-n-a, the blade angle is the value |02 which is slightly. greater than A'. When the speed error:is1 i m, the blade angleis the value |03 whichjis slightly less than A. The distances between lineA'-;AY' and points I lll, |02 andlll, etc., are progres: sii/ ely decreasing. The distances between line AT A and points A, A1, A2, A3, etc., are progres-` 4 sively decreasing. It is therefore apparentthat the' speed` and the blade angle will .even tu ally settle to their ,respectively equilibrium Vvalues N and Afin a manner similar to the actionpf `a dampedgpendulum. l

great altitude or with increased sensitivityof the governing unit 30, natural aerodynamic damping described heretofore, may become ver-y small; andthe return to governed speed may beaccomplished only after anundesirable number of oscillations.f Y' l The response of the system will now be, considered with the stabilizer 6 0 augmenting the action of the governor 30. Curve Sy (Fig. 4) represents `now the departure from desired speed. As before. the governor component of the blade angle change, curve Bly (Fig. 6) starts to in-V crease, its slope being proportionalto `the or.- dinate of Sy. However, there is added to this blade angle increase the stabilizer component Bay (Fig. 7) which. starts 01T with an ordinate proportional to the `ordinate of Sy itself. Thus, at the `outset ofthe action, the total blade angle,

curve Bay (Fig. 5), rises at a more rapidrate than. j

Under certain conditions, such as operation at A'-A' because stabilizer blade angie, pome ross of' curve Bzy (Fig. 7), isy now adding to help governor` blade angle. Governor blade" angle Bry continuesv to increase until Sy has returned to- Alt thisl (fsince it was Well below A when the stabilizer component of blade angle change had reached its" peak point |Ys of curve B211) ;V and ythe stabilizer-fcomponent of blade angle change E21/ has: f

'returned' to zero or point |06s on curve. Bay,

concurrently with the return ofr Sy to line N--N. Therefore when the speed error is zeroV -(point m Where' Sy crosses VN-N) totalblade angle is:

'|.06` which is equal 'to governorl component. value |1069-, which value is only slightly above value A'.

curve Sy. total blade angle is at |01, which is slightly'above "A'; the governor component of blade angle. change is |-|01g on curve Bry` andV When the:

the stabilizer component is -|01's. speed error is zero, point 'ns on curve Sy, blade angle isfl slightly below A', the governor com-fV ponent'is |089' and the stabilizer component is 'the response of the system becomes aperiodic as illustrated'by curves Se, B3e,`B1e and Bae in Figs. 4, 5,' 6 and '1 respectively. The increase of stabilizer action may be effected by changing from a spring 65 which gives the effect shown by curve Bay to a spring which gives the effect shown by curve B22. In order to make possible the change of the effect of the control spring, without disassembling the apparatus, it could be controlled after the manner of controlling the springs 52 and 82. As shown in Fig. 3, the control spring 65' bears against a lever H0 pinned at to the rod 64 andresting on a fulcrumv roller' 2 pivotally supported by a bar I |-3which They oscillations quickly die out in the following manner: When speed error is .--m on` Fig-8` showsw a type of propeller hubV and tordue'f' unit assembly or s'ervomotor withwhich the pres--- ent controlapparatus may be` used. Fig. 81sh`ows:` afengineV shalft-|30 which supports and drives-1a! propeller' hub` |f`3| providingv bearings |32;v in.

which the roots' of blades 1| 33I are' rotatably: supported'.`r Each blade is connected' with a ring |3411 providing a bevel gearl segment| meshingv withf a masterff or 2 equalli'zing gear lf3 6 vjournaledf iln-A a bearing providedf'bythe hubf |-3|. `Each ring '|'3'L :ls-'connected with aV torque unit or servocylinder |40-closedifat its outer end by ahead |i4|v and atitsv inner end by means provided' by thel hub |'3 The cylinder|40 has internal helical splines. |42" mating with external helical splines' |143 of a piston |441 reciprocable in the cylindervl'40. Piston |44-v is provided with internal helical' splines mating with: external helical splinesf` |451' of a part |46 provided by the hub |l3.|'. Thev inclinations of 'l the splines arey such that when thev pistons |44 movetoward the shaft@ |3||I theblades r|33 arel turned in a pitch increasing direction. The hub l|'3'| provides a` plate |50, which, together withl its cover |^5|,` provide a housing' for enclosing pressure ui'd and-instruments operated thereby, includingfthe governor 30 and the stabilizerl.

Fig. 9 shows ain-assembly of' the plate |50-andi pumps and instrumentsv including the pump 25,v the governor 30'and the stabilizer 60 of Fig. 2.' As shown in Fig. 9, the leverV |20' of Fig. 2 is provided with a forked end |20ci which receives the pin 23 which is connected with the rodA 64. This provides a construction which is the equivalent of that shown in Fig. `2. Fig. 8 also shows the governor 30a The adjustable fulcrum roller 56` is there shown as mounted upon a carriage-51 instead'of upon the bar 51 of Fig. 1. The carriage 51 ismoved ina direction parallel to the en# gine shaft |30 by an axially movable groove control ring |52 whose groove receives a shoe |53 swivelly connected with' the carriage 51".v The ring |52 isv shifted axiallyv by the' rotation `of screw-threaded rshafts |54V threadedly engaging d' the ring |52.. Thefshafts |54 are rotatably sup-'- ported 4by a sleeve |55 restrained from rotation with the propeller by providing the sleeve |55 can be moved by the pilot by a mechanism similar Y to that used for moving the barV 51'. When the roller I2 moves right (horizontally) the leverage ofthe spring 65" is decreased so that va greater upward (B2) movement of rod 64 may take place before the feed-back piston `80 causes the valve 66to Vreturnfto neutral; and morestabilizing ef` feet can be. obtained.

The mechanicallyoperated feedback of Fig. 2 may be used in placent the hydraulically `operated feed-back of Fig 1. 'Rod 64 operates .a lever' |20- pivoted atk |2| and bearing against .a rod |22 carrying 'a spring retainer |23 fornengaging spring 82'.y In Fig.1, rod 84 'moves up i-n accordance with the# increase ofy 4iiuid pressu-re as controlled by spring 653 and the feedback piston '80 acts-"in 'accordance' with this-.pressure increase to force the valve 66 down against centrifugal force. Similarly in 2, rod 6'4 moves up in accordance with `the increaseof uid pressurefas controlled by spring 65 and causes rod |22 toV move down a proportionate amount to increase the pressure of spring 82 toy force'f'the valve 66 down vin opposition to centrifugal force.

with a tang |56, located between bracketsv |51 fastened. to` the engine frame. |58.v Each shaft |54'v carries a pinion |55 meshing .with aring gear. |60 having a lever |6| connected by a link |62, with a pilots control leverr |63..A Sleeve provides. a fixed gear- |65 meshing with gears |66 for driving pumps 2,5 and |61.

. The sleeve |55,`i`n'dicated in Fig. 8., represents an. assembly of `three parts shown in- Fig. 10, namely,l |55a, |55b and 155e. As shown in Eig. 10,.;the plate |50., which is secured to the hub |311y by a. tubular vnut |63,V provides' .a` bearing member |69 .for the sleeve portion |5541 vand a seal |10. The cover |5| provides ar bearing member |1|` for the lsleeve portion Y|5511 and a seal |12 located against the bearing member |5512. The member |550 provides a means for retaining the ring gear and'provivdes .the tang |50 which is received in thepspace between the brackets|51 attached to the engine frame |58. i f

The ,stabilizer fulcrum roller, 85,- is controlled `in a,.manner similar to. the control of: the. roller 5,8A oithe governorfm Lever 84: rests upon'. the roller 861 as shown in Fig.^ 9. Roller-86 is carriedby a carriage 86a. similar tothel carriage 51" of the governor 30. To the carriage y86a 'fin Fig. 13.

inclusive.

1; The` plate 204 provid-es a cam surface `z|2| of f lever |20 and the body 13` of the stabiglizer 60. The'pist'onrods 34 and 64 are connectedy by bar 22 with the bar 20 which, in Fig. 9,7is aiiat plate guided by a straight boss |8| 'offframe |80 and having a rack |82 meshing with la circularl segment |83 provided byplate A.|84 which is lmounted to slide upon a pad |85 provided by the frame |80 as shown "in Fig.`15

andialso upon a spacer |86 attached to plate |50 by a screw |81 passing through fa roller |88 Fig. 14 located in an arcuate slot `|89 provided by the plate |84, the -center of'curvature of the slot being at the axis ofthe engine `shaft |30.

Thislsl-otf'reoeives other rollers |88 secured by screws |90 threaded 4intothe frame |80 as shown meshing with a pinion |92 of a differential mechani-sm shown in further detail in Figs. 11 to 17 Pinion`1|92 is supported by but not connected lwithzza shaft |93 `rotatably supported by a bar |94 supported by frame |80 by screws, such as |95. .(Fig. 12), which pass through spacers, such 4asilflli, and` which are threadedly engaged by nuts such as |91.

|80. Pinion |92 is `integral with a cup-shaped member 200fproviding an internal gear 20| meshing 4with `planet gears 202 each ysupported by a shaft'203 carried by a plate 204 rotatably sup- ;ported `.bythe bushing |98.'

`Shafti201 carries a gear 208 meshingfwith an idlefgear 209 drivenY by a gear 2|0 yprovided by thehub'of the master gearii3l.V f

17).between an outer land 212 and an inner landl2l3. When on speed, the mid-point ofrgcam `surface 2|| is engaged by-arollerj2|4V carried by'aglever 2| 5 pivoted at 2|6 andi connected as shown in Fig. 9, by a link 2|1 witha lever 2|8 pivotallyfsupported at 2 |9 by adistributing valve `unit 22,0 whose body 22| carriesa bracket-222 ,supporting the .pivot pin or screw 219 (seeFig. ,.19); `Lever 2|8 engages avalve 223 urgedupwardly or against thelever 2|8 by `a spring 224 within the valve 223,` and bearing against .a plate 225 A.attached to the body 22|. The valve 223 is' movable within y.a valveguide 226 having inlet ports221fand outlet ports 228 and 229.

`Fliese outlet` ports' .228 and 229 are normally tblockedby the lands230 and 23|.. respectively ofthe-valve 223.` The inlet ports are connected `with lafpassage 232 (Fi-g. 19 and also Fig. 9) l which is `connected by Apipe 233' with a pressure control` valve.2'50 connected by lpipe 234 with puniplgm (Fig. 9).` As shea/nin Fig. 18, the

outletports 228 and 229 are connected, respec- ,V It `has been stated with referencevto Fig. l,

thatfupwardfmovement of thepiston rods '34 The plate |84 provides a rack |9| and 64 calls for increase of blade angle. This would be downward movement in Fig. 9 causing clockwise rotation of plate |84 and of` pinion |92. Referring to Fig. 17,'When pinion |92 andfrng gear 20| rotate clockwise, the plate 204, carrying cam 2||, rotates clockwise'.v This would cause countercl-ockwise *movement of 3 level' 2|5 (Fig. 17) and of lever 2|8 (Fig. 19)

The shaft k|93 journaled also in a bushing |98nsupported b-y thefram'e increases, the oil pressure forcerequired to force vpressure Vis increased also whenever the pitch and downward movement of the valve 223 there'- by placing the inlet ports 221 in connection with the outlet ports 229 whereby pressure fluid flows 'through the passages 245 which, as shown in Fig.` 8, are connected with the outer ends of` the Vtorque unit cylinders `|40 thereby causing inwardmovement of the pistons |44 to effect blade angle increase. As pistons,.|44 move inwardly, the upper plate |34, Fig. 8,` rotates clockwise .as indicated by arrow |34a land the master gear |36 rotates counterclookwise as indicated by arrow |3611.` During the increase in pitch, the shaft 20-1 `(Fig. 10, bottom) 1 will rotate counterclockwise` as indicated` by arrow `201er zwhen wheniviewed in the directionof arrow 20115.-` l,Referring to Figs. 12 and 17, when shaft 201 rotates counterclockwise, sun gear 205 rotatesin the4 same direction to cause theaxes :of the planet gearsto move counterclockwise, :thereby moving cam -plate 204 counterclockwise to restore `the cam 2 to its original position ofl equilibrium as shown in Fig. 1'1,` whereupon the valve 223 returns toneutral position .-asshownin Fig. `19. Itis therefore apparent that when `thedfferential mechanism is operatedby the pistons V34 and 6.4 in a direction calling for blade; angle increase, there is effected clockwise movement of the cam2||from its neutral position shown in Fig. `1'1, 4to a positioncausing the distributing valve `220 to supply iiuid to the pitch increasing ends of the torque unit cylinders. The pitch increasing operation effects, through the differential mechanism,A a return of the cam2|| to` neutral position. Therefore,` for every `posi- :tion of the rack bar `20, Fig. 9, thereis a deflnite` blade angle whether an increase in blade angle or decrease in blade angle has been demanded. `In case of a demand for less blade `angle effected by downward `movement `of the pistons 3'4 and 64 of Fig. 1 or-upward movement in` Fig. 9, the cam 2| is caused to move, ccun terclockwise` thereby causing clockwise rotation of lever 2|5 in Fig. 17 and lever 2|8 in Fig. 19 whereupon the valve 223 moves up to connect the inlet ports 221 with the `outlet ports 228 whereby pressure oil is distributed to the passage 244, which, as shown in Fig. 8, is connected with the inner ends of the cylinders |140 so that the pitch decreasing operation will be` effected by outward movement of the pistons |44. The pressure control valve 250, which `is of conventional construction, comprises a cylinder 25| 4receiving a notched dashpot piston 252 connected by a rod 253 with a piston valve 254 slidable in a small cylinder 255 having ableed port 258 and connectedby a pipe 251 with pitch increasing passages 245. A spring 258 surrounding the rod 253 urges the piston valve 254 outwardly, in cooperation lwith centrifugal force acting thereon. It is therefore apparentthat as `Speed the piston valve 254 inwardly to open thexblepd port 258 will increase. Therefore thepress` l`|n` pipe 233 increases with vincreasing speed. in-

creasing function is demanded'isillfipi connected with the pitchuimmin l.

,-aerapeo Pressure .control valve 27h-shown diagrammati :cally in Figs. `1 and.2, fissh'owninFig. 9 as being of lthesanie constructionasthe valve 25D except .that the small cylinder 255' iis not connected with pressure oi'l fbutis 'vented by passage 255". Cylinder 25| is connected `with pipe V2,8 instead Y'0I being directly connected :with the pump .'25 .as `shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

On reference to Fig. .9, it will be observed ,that all of the cont-rol mechanism is `contained within `the regulator enclosed ib'y Athe :plate ,|58 and the cover 1t will be .observed `.that there "are .two .pumps Lor pressure developing `means and I vthat v:are driven by the jxed ygear v|65 whenever the propeller is rotating. Moving from the top 'of Fig. .-9 in iacloclrwise direction, `it will be appar- -fent .generally `that the pump .25 delivers high pressure fluid into the passages 2B land 28 which lead to 'the waste of .the governor valve fthe pressure control valve 21 :and the waste or the stabilizer 80. These valve assemblies, that is, the

governor vvalve 3U sensitive vto 'theamount of speed I error, and the stabilizer valve .assembly 88 ,sensi- `tive to the rate of change of .speederroi both operateupon a changeo'f speed to apply pressure 4to y'or .per-milt drain ,from their respective' cylinder .elements 3| and 8|. Keeping Ainmind, the description of operation heretofore made for both the governor valve Si) andthe stabilizer 68, it should 'be apparentthat lupon an increaseof speed both lof 'the valveelements 36 and 65 responding to centrifugal force mov-e radially outward of Athe 'figure so las to connect 'the source of pressure :in 26'fand 2-8, which by4 the way, is controlled .by the pressure control valve 2l', with ports v44 and f 74respectively, vwhich lead to the cylinders 3| and '6|"fas 'in Figs. 31 land 2. The piston 32 responds to the Iamount of speed error to shift one end of the link 22 While the piston 52 responding to the rate of change of speed yerror to shift the other -end of link 22 which piston, lby a camming action with the lever |28, operates `to increase the tension of spring 82 as has vbeen described. vThe .new Aposition talren 'by the'l-i-nk 22 as a lresultant o fthe components of movement of Kpistons y:l2 'and 62 -reciprocates the rack bar |84 of the differential mechanism which effectively rotates the l plate' 204 of the differential mechanism and through the cam face 2|! shifts the valve element 223. n

It will be further observed von reference to fFig. 9 that the pump |51 valso driven kupon rotation of the propeller' delivers high pressure fluid into y the variable pressure control valve 258 which controls the pressure applied Ithrough the ,pa-sv"sage '233 to the Waste of the valve element 223 and which, when actuated by the differential mechanism, distributes that high pressure to one ,side or the other of the torque unit or servomotor |40, the pitch increase line 245 having a branch connection 257 back to the variable pressure con- Atrol valve for vregulating the pressure so applied. Referring back. to the point where the differential mechanism operating through its cam face 2| to shift the valve 223, that movement will connect the 'high pressure line' 233 with `port 238 which,

by passage 245, applies the high pressure to the pitch increase side of the torque unit or servo- `motor, effecting an increase of pitch of the blade I |33. As the blade y|33 moves to its new position.

it operates through the shaft 28'! upon the differential mechanism to restore the cam face 2| .and-pin 2|4 in the equilibrium ,position .assonn as the =bladev movement .has Aeffected .the :proper :change in pitch setting to accommodate theincreased speed. v

llf Afeathering is desired, 1an accumulator 260 lmay be provided. .Asshown in Fig. 8, .it v`has-ian inner end 'wail 251|, an ,outer end Wallf262 and an Vintermediate piston 263. The space .between ,the .wall .2,62 and piston 2,63 is l-led with .gas

under rvpressure vthrough a check Vval-ve v64. 'The yspace ybetween the piston .262 Aand the inner end wall 25| receives fluid under pressuredischarged "through a pipe 2.85 which, as'shovvn in Fig. 8,;i's connected with the pump |161 through an accumulator control'valve AV. Thefconstructionza'nd Vmode of operationof the valve AV `is ,fully rderscribed in thel copending application `of David A.

Richardson, Serial No. 6,l3. .53,"led August d8,

As .shown .in Fig. 10, the accumulator .cylinder 2.88 may be used as means fortighteningor loosiening a nut which secures the hub 13| to vthe This nut is 'in Afact the end -vvall .128| of :the accumulator 'and :is threadedly :connected at 218 with the shaft |39, the Wall 25| .being ,splinedlyconnected with lthe cylinder 260 at ZBa, the turning Lof .the cylinder kcausing the nut i26| to `urge to :the right, two half ring wedges 21H having `frustro-conical Ysurfaces engaging similar surfaces lat 212 provided by ,the hub |-.3|. This urges vthe hub ilytoward the right so 4that a conical surface 2713 thereof :engages :a similar ,surface provided by .a sleeve 2214 .threadedly connected at 2.75 vwith .the shaft-i130. When thenut 26| is unscrewed, its external 'ange 2.76 .engages the interna'lange 2.71 provided .by the half 'rings 2H, thereby forcing these rings away from' fthe .surface 2`|2 .of thehub ;|.'3|. 'The engaging splines of the hub are indicated .at 258 and 28| `respectively.

.Rotationof the 'accumulator cylinder 268 fiseffected 'by a spanner wrench applied to splines 28|, Fig. 10. The cylinder 2610 'is :prevented'lfrom turning by va lock Washer 284 hav-ing .internal splines vmating with the splines '283 and having While `the embodiments .of the present invention as herein disclosed, constitute preferred forms, it is to be understood that other forms might` be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

*What is claimed lis as follows:

l. Apparatus `for controlling propeller rotation subject to variable lspeed by change of blade angle, comprising blades rotatably mounted for change in blade angle, a servo-.motor operatively connected to the blades for turning the same., ,a governor unit rotatable with the propeller and sensitive to speed of 4propeller rotation, a stabilizer unit rotatable with the propeller and sensitive to speed of propeller rotation, ya source of fluid pressure common to said governor unit and said stabili-zer unit, said governor unit including a member movable under the urge Aof fluid pressure from said source, a valve for controlling the application of duid pressure from said source lto `said member, and means for moving said-'valve for applying said uid pressure to said member, said stabilizer unit including a member movable under the urge of fluid pressure from said source, a valve Afor controlling the application of uid pressure from said source to said member, and means for moving 'said stabilizervalvefor'applying said A1"fluid-pressure tofsai'dstabillzer membenem independent source of power for s aid siervo-motor, and means under joint control of bothj'members for controlling'the application of the source offpower to the servo-motor.`

i independent t'osaid governorunit andjsaid stabilizer`"unit,

" said governor unit including a member'mOVable under the urge-of fluid pressurefromfsaidsource, "'avalve fonccntrolling the application of 'fluid pressure `from saidsource tofsaid member, and means for moving said valvefor applying, said iluid pressure to saidmember for movingthe'said i 'member at arateproportional to the amount of 4speed error; said stabilizeraunitincluding a'fmembermovable under lthe urge of fluid pressure from "said source, a valve for controlling the application of uid pressure from said source to said member, and means for moving said stabilizer valve for applying said fluid pressure to said stabilizer member for moving the said stabilizer :member at a rate proportional to `the rate of change of speed error, an independent source of fluid pressure for said servo-motor,` means for transmitting a resultant of the movement of the twofsaid members to the servo-motor lcontrol V valve l,to move it for applying the fluid fpressure `from saidV independent sourceto said servolrnotor ,jto obtain a blade angle change, and meansoperated by the servo-motor forlrestoring theservomotor control valve to the neutral position when the Vrequired blade angle has been obtained.

3. Apparatus for controlling propeller operation subject to variable speed by change of blade angle, comprising blades rotatably mounted for change in blade angle, a servo-motor operatively connected to the blades for turning the same, a rotatable body supporting the blades, a stationary member about which said body rotates, means operable upon relative rotation between said body and said member to produce a source of iluid pressure for actuating said servo-motor, a governor unit mounted on the rotatable body and having a cylinder and a piston therein and a valve for controlling admission of fluid pressure to the governor cylinder and movable by centrifugal force and a spring opposing movement of the valve whereby the piston moves at a rate proportional to the speed error, a stabilizer unit mounted on the rotatable body and having a cylinder and a piston therein and a valve for controlling admission of fluid pressure .to the stabilizer cylinder movable by centrifugal force, and means for opposing movement of the stabilizer valve by centrifugal force and means interconnecting said stabilizer piston and said opposing means for determining the force of the opposing means in proportion to the movement of the stabilizer piston whereby the rate of movement of the stabilizer piston is in proportion to the rate of change of speed error, and means including a distributor valve in the said source of uid pressure under the joint control of both pistons `for controlling the servo-motor.

4. Apparatus for controlling propeller operanon subject to variable speed by? change of. 4trade angle comprising blades 'rotatably mounted' for "change in blade angle, a servo-motor operatively connected to the blades for turningA the same,` a

"rotatable" body supporting the `bl'aides, `fa` stationary member about which said body rotates,

'j means operable upon relative rotation between 3 Saidbody and said member to produce a source of fluid pressure for actuating said'servo-fmotor. a governor` unit mounted on the rotatable "body and having a cylinder and a piston therein `and 'a valve for controlling admissionof pressureuid `tothe governor cylinder and movable'by centrifugal force and a spring opposing movement 4of the'valve whereby the piston 'moves at 'a rate proportional to the speed error, a stabilizer unit mounted on the rotatable body and having a cylinder and a piston therein and a valve forcon- `and a spring opposing movement of the stabilizer trolling admission of pressure ilud to the stab'ili'zer cylinder and movable by centrifugal `force piston in one direction, whereby pressure in the said opposing means for determining theiinf stabilizer cylinder increases as the piston moves to increase' the force of the spring, and means `for ,g opposing movement lof `the stabilizer valve and means interconnectingv said stabilizer pistonand crease `of the force of the opposingmeans Ain response tothe increase of pressure inthe stabilizer Acylinder whereby the `rate of movement of `the stabilizer piston is in proportion to- 4theratefof "ftrollingthe servo-motor.'V 3

5. Apparatus for controlling propeller operation subject to variable speed by changeoffjblade `angle comprising blades rotatably mounted "for change in blade angle, a servo-motor operatively connected to the blades for turning the"same,

' a 'rotatable body supporting the blades, a stationary member about which said body rotates, means operable upon relative rotation between said body and said member to produce a source of uid pressure for actuating said servo-motor, a governor unit mounted on the rotatable body and having a cylinder and a piston therein and a valve for controlling admission of pressure uid to the governor cylinder and movable by centrifugal force and a spring opposing movement of the valve wherebythe piston moves at a rate proportional to the speed error, a stabilizer unit mounted on the rotatable body and having a cylinder and a piston therein and a valve for controlling admission of pressure fluid to the stabilizer cylinder and movable by centrifugal force and a spring opposing movement of the stabilizer piston in one direction, whereby pressure on the stabilizer cylinder increases as the piston moves to increase the force of the spring, and means for opposing movement of theV stabilizer valve and means interconnecting said stabilizer piston and said opposing means for determining the increase of the force of the opposing means in response to the movement of the stabilizer piston whereby the rate of movement of the stabilizer piston is in proportion to the rate of change of speed error, and means including a distributor valve in the said source of iiuid pressure under the joint control of both pistons for communi; i

the servo-motor. a., a

6. Apparatus for controlling propeller; opera-v tion subject to variable speedby chanseofhlade angle comprising blades rotatably mounted for change in blade angle. a servo motoroperatively :T5 connected .to .the blades for turnin'gthe same, arotatable body supporting the blades, astationary member .about which said body rotates,

means .operable upon relative .rotation between `said Vbody and said member to produce `Aa .source of Aflu-id pressure for actuating said .servo-motor, a .governor unit mounted -on the rotatable body and having a `cylinder .and a pistontherein and fa-valve .forfcontroll-i-ng admission of pressure .iluid to the governor :cylinder and movable by een- .trifugal force and a spring opposing movement of the valve whereby the piston .moves `at `a frate pro- ',portional to the speed `error, fa .stabilizer unit .mounted on the rotatable body and having a .cylinder `and a Apiston therein and la valve `,for control-ling admission of pressure uid tothestabilizerf cylinder and movable -by vcentrifugal 'force v'and fa 'spr-ing opposing -movement of lthe stabilizer piston in yone direction, whereby pressure inthe stabilizer `cylinder increases .as the `.piston .moves to increase the force of the spring, and resilient means for opposing movement of ,theV stabilizer valve .and .hydraulic means including a cylinder connectedV with the rst mentioned stabilizer .cylinder and -a piston for adding .to said resilient vmeansva force in proportion to the increase of pressure in the rst mentioned stabilizer cylinder whereby-the .rate of movement of the sta- ..bilizer .piston is in proportion t0 the rate o f Vchange of Aspeed error. and means including .a distributor valve in the said source of iluid pressure under rthe joint control of both pistons for .con-

trolling the servo-motor.

7. .Apparatus .for controlling propeller operation subject to variable speed'by chan-ge of blade 'angle comprising blades rotatably .mounted for change in .blade angle, aservo-motor operatively connected to the blades for turn-ing the same, :a rotatable body .supporting the blades, .a stationary member :about which said body rotates,

' meansoperable vupon relative rotation :between billzencylinder and movable byv centrifugal 4force anda spring opposingmovement of the .stabilizer lpiston in one direction, whereby pressure in :the

stabilizer cylinder. increases as the vpiston-.moves to increase the force .of the spring, and -a .spring foropposing movement of the .stabilizer valve by centrifugal force and mechanical vmeansactuated lby the stabilizer .piston for increasing the 4force of saidsecond mentionedstabilizer .springli-n vproportion to movement of the .stabilizer piston whereby .the .rate of movement of the stabilizer spiston is in proportion to the rate of-change of speed error, and means inc'luding a .distributor `valve in the said source of l:iiuid pressure under kthe joint control .of both `pistons .for controlling the servo-motor. v

CLIFFORD L. MUZZEY, REFERENCES CITED The'followingreferences are of record vthe iile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTs l.\lurnl: erVV .Name Date,

2,232,219 Due'ringer n Feb. 18, 1941 `.1346856 Martin Apri. 13,1944 2,374,708 vshouets May v`.1, 1945 2,375,429 Martin `May-.8, v1945 2,399,685 

